The Columbia River is a 1,200 mile river beginning in the Canadian
Rockies and emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Some Native Americans
call this river Nichi-wana which means The
Big River before the inhibition of the
white man the Columbia River was of great importance to the Native Americans
and wildlife that lived off of the river.

The Columbia River has much history that has happened within its confines
throughout the years. As previously stated the Columbia River begins
in the Canadian Rockies, on its journey to the Pacific it also flows through
the Cascade Mountains. This is home to much beautiful scenery as
well as important history. Much of this history came about during
the Westward expansion.

TheThe
Lewis and Clark expedition marked
the beginning of this westward expansion. Thomas Jefferson appointed
Meriwether Lewis captain of this expedition in 1805. Clark was co-captain
of this learning experience, both traveled extensively throughout this
river for two years. Although the river was traveled by the two it
was discovered by another man. This man's name was Captain Robert
Gray of Boston. He discovered the river on May 20th, 1792.

In 1851 the first steam engine traveled along the Columbia River.
It was called the "James P. Flint" built by a man with the same name.
The steam engine sunk and was later erected and rebuilt. This new
vessel was later called the "Fashion". This steam engine operated
in the lower Columbia River until 1961. The Columbia River has been witness
to many other historical events such as the gold rush, the steamship
race to Portland, and many other land marking events.

Environmental
Problems with the Columbia River:

For many years non-Native American dwellers of the Columbia River have
brought much damage to the Columbia River with their industries.
Since 1883 people looking to make life easier have made life harder for
the wildlife that is part of this river. In 1883 the cannery
business hurt the salmon living in that area. In just one year
forty canneries packed about thirty-five million pounds of Chinook salmon.
The first cannery was built in Camas in 1884. Many Native Americans
believe that the damage of the river is due to the white man.

Now the problem
with the river still exists and maybe to greater lengths. The level
of dioxins and furans is very high. The levels of dioxin
in the fish are so intense that the EPA has stated it is unsafe for
human consumption. These dioxins can be cancer forming (carcinogenic).
These unsafe conditions may be associated with the pulp and paper factories
that are found along the river bend.

There is also
a problem with high levels of contamination by heavy metals in the river.
These are metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium just
to name a few. Many industries are dumping metals in the river on
a daily basis, which is causing these levels to rise everyday.

Another problem
with toxins in the river is the newly found high levels of bacteria in
the river. These levels tend to rise after heavy rain storms.
Other causes of the bacteria rise in the river is the problem with overflowing
sewage that flows over into the river.

Lastly, pesticides
are a growing problem in the Columbia River. This is a major concern
to the whole entire river basin. The farmers use many chemicals that
are very damaging to the fish, wildlife, and people that live along the
river. The big concern with this is that it is not federally regulated,
so the source of the pesticides will go undetected.

There are many
other problems with the Columbia River such as the building of dams, which
is the cause of the destruction of many habitats along the river. The threat
of PCB's are another concern because they are hazardous to the wildlife
species particularly the bald eagle which is already an endangered species.
PCB's also can be harmful to humans, with side effects such as skin rashes,
fatigue, loss of appetite, birth defects, and immune suppression just to
name a few. Lastly, the rise in temperature during the hot summer
months are also a problem. Many of the species of fish are not used
to these extreme temperatures. Their eggs die and eventually they
do too. They were meant for colder waters than what they are experiencing.

Projects
in the works on the Columbia River:

In the quest on making the Columbia River safer and cleaner the pulp and
paper mills are putting together a project where they will stop the bleaching
of paper which will in turn help in the cleaning up process of the polluted
waters. This will help them both economically and politically now
that we are in an age of environmental safety. They are doing this
by using and alternative bleaching substance that is environmentally safe.

Another project of the Columbia River is the Hanford
Project. They
are working with many individuals as well as industries to help clean up
the river basin. They hold seminars where they teach awareness
on the river and ideas on how to clean it up. They are doing this
in order to preserve the river and also for the health of the citizens
that live along this river.

They also have the Bingen Wetlands Improvement Project which helps in saving
the planets most productive and most diverse ecosystem that there is.
They were successful in winning a $30,000 lawsuit against Columbia Aluminum
for their violation of the Clean Water Act.

Their are a number of fundraising projects that are involved in cleaning
up the Columbia River. some of them are very successful and some
are not very successful. Some of these organizations are taking great
strides in making their river clean once again.

Scenic
Areas on the Columbia River:Multnomah
Falls:
Found along the Columbia River Gorge, it is 620 feet in height. It
is the second highest waterfall in the United States. This waterfall
comes from the snow capped Larch mountain and natural springs. Benson
Bridge allows visitors to cross the falls upper and lower cataracts.
This bridge was erected in 1914 by Simon
Benson .

Five Most Scenic
Sights:The five most spectacular scenic sights
along the river are; Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Indian Heaven, Trapper Creek
or Columbia. These are places where you can view wildflowers, and
beautiful waters.